Rationale: Being
able to visualize while reading will help
students with their comprehension skills. Visualization is an important
factor
in comprehension. It is easy to visualize when books have
illustrations, but
getting children to learn to visualize early on with non-illustrated
text will
help them develop a meaningful connection with the text they read.

1).
Be sure to pass out plenty of paper, pencils, and crayons to each
student. They will use these throughout the lesson. “Today we are going
to learn how to visualize while we
read.” “I am going to say a word and I want you to write down the first
thing
that comes to your mind on your sheet of paper”. “It may help you to
close your
eyes.” Say the word, “Florida”. Allow time for the students all to
write
something down and then let them share what they have written. “When I
said the
word, you created a mental image in your mind and that mental image can
help
with understanding what we read while reading.”

2).
Now I am going to read the poem called Dreaming of Summer by Kenn Nesbitt
and I want you to
visualize in your mind what is happening. You can think about what the
characters look like or what just happened or what might happen next.
If it
helps for you to draw pictures while the poem is being read you may do
so.
After the poem is read put the students into groups and have them share
their
visualizations.

3).
We are going to get back to our seats now and begin
reading in a book called The Tale of
Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo. I will read the first chapter aloud
while we engage in
visualizing. After I have read the first chapter, I want to draw a
picture of
anything that I visualized during the chapter. Allow time for all
students to
draw their pictures and then model yours. Show your picture and explain
it,
then let the students show theirs.

4).
“Can anyone tell me what silent reading is?” It is where
you read quietly to yourself and no one should be able to hear you
voice. I
would like for you to read the second chapter silently and then stop. I
want
you to visualize while you read and then afterwards draw a picture(s)
of what
you visualized like we just did with chapter one. We will share our
pictures
after everyone has drawn something.

5).
Use the following checklist to assess each student’s visualization
and comprehension:

Assessment
Checklist:

Did the student read
silently?

Ÿ
Did the student draw a
picture?

Ÿ
Were the drawings accurate for poem?

Ÿ
Were the drawings accurate for assigned reading(s)?

Ÿ
Were the drawings detailed?

References:

The
Reading Genie Website: How to See
With Your Eyes Closed. By: Mareena Kohtala.